Disc I01. Numbered Days02. Self Revolution03. Fixation On The Darkness04. My Last Serenade05. Life To Lifeless06. Just Barely Breathing07. To The Sons Of Man08. Temple From The Within [Re-Recorded]09. The Element Of One10. Vide Infra [Re-Recorded]11. Without A Name12. Rise Inside13. In The Unblind [Japanese bonus]

Disc II[25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition][Re-release bonus]01. In The Unblind02. When The Balance Is Broken03. Untitled And Unloved [Instrumental]04. Numbered Days [Demo]05. Transfiguration (AKA Fixation On The Darkness) [Demo]06. Just Barely Breathing [Demo]07. Fixation On The Darkness [Howard version]08. AOJB Studio Outtakes09. My Last Serenade [Video]10. Fixation On The Darkness [Video]11. Life To Lifeless [Live Video]

Killswitch Engage belongs to this wave of young bands that don't play in one definite style. You can call them nu-death, but it would not be fair enough. Maybe melodic nu-thrash would be closer to reality. This American band takes its inspiration everywhere, and succeeds in extracting the best essence of all metal styles. Mix grated hardcore vocals, headbanging nu-metal riffs (I can't help becoming crazy on "Numbered Days"), thrash tracks' structure and melodic death fury, shake it all and you get Killswitch Engage.
Even if violence is the main word here, what immediately comes out of this album is its melodic side. Most of the songs have melodic passages going on with a clear voice, as on the single "My last serenade". Listen to the end of "Just barely breathing" or to the instrumental "Without a name" and you will understand these guys are as easy in calm moments as in violent ones. This is confirmed by the vocals: when the singer screams, he REALLY screams (sometimes like Anders Friden from In Flames, sometimes like Max Cavalera), but he is also able to sing with a clear voice. He expresses the two sides of this album: on the one hand unleashed and hateful aggressivity, as if the whole world was against him and on the other hand the beauty of peace and quietness.The singer left the band after this album, so wait and see...
This raw power, this pure energy that give this album its identity are strengthend and emphasized by the very good work of the production. Every instrument has the perfect sound, and I'm not able to find the words to describe vocals. This band has everything to become cult. If you are able to stay still and calm when hearing "Numbered Days" (my favourite...), then you should go for Britney Spears, because you're not a metalhead... "The time approaches" they say... Right. Their time is coming.

I liked them back in the day, but I recently listened to this album and I didn't get much from it. It's easily their best though. One of the songs on this cd is exceptionally brutal....track 6 I think.

I liked them back in the day, but I recently listened to this album and I didn't get much from it. It's easily their best though. One of the songs on this cd is exceptionally brutal....track 6 I think.

I liked them back in the day, but I recently listened to this album and I didn't get much from it. It's easily their best though. One of the songs on this cd is exceptionally brutal....track 6 I think.

yeap song 6 is the best here.

I'm with you guys. ''Just Barely Breathing'' is by far the best song in this album. Sefl Revolution is also good. But over all this album is just average.

Painkiller636 - 23.07.2009 at 04:14

It took me awhile to love this album cause I feel thier new vocalist Howard Jones is better but now I like this one just as much, the lyrics on this album are great their last couple of albums (Daylight Dies, Killswitch Engage) have lacked that.
And i disagree in saying The Element of One is the best song on this album!